Vacuum cleaner



Dec. 22, 1936. REBE R, ETAL 2,064,857

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Aug. 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1936. F. RIEBEL. JR., ET AL Filed Aug. 2, 1935 Patented Dec. 22, 1936 PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLEANER Frederick Riebel, Jr., and Dewey M. Dow, Toledo, v Ohio, assignors to Air-Way Electric Appliance Corporation, Toledo, Delaware Application August 2,

iii Claims.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaner of the type which agitates an air cushion suspended carpet by means of a high speed motor driven rotary agitator including flexibly mount- 5 ed beaters, such as that covered in pending application Serial No. 752,270, filed November 9, 1934, of which the present application constitutes a continuation in part.

The object of this invention is to provide a rotary agitator which reduces carpet injury to a minimum while preserving a maximum of dirt loosening efilciency. The invention achieves this aim by providing an agitator with a beater element so mounted as to have a high circumferential yieldability relative to a low radial yieldability and a low radial distensibility (radial stability).

The invention involves the discovery that the primary factor in reducing carpet injury, is circumferential yieldabiiity, while the important factor in preserving dirt-loosening effectiveness, is radial stability. Circumferential yieldability greatly reduces the drag against the pile fibers, but does not materially lessen the effectiveness of the blow struck by a radially stable beater element. The vertical punch of the blow has little injurious effect, but does knock the dirt loose. lccordinglyj, the invention aims to reduce the "side swiping efiect of the beater element [to a minimum, while preserving vertical punch ing effectiveness and constraining the beater element to travel within a narrow limit of distension beyond a fixed path of revolution of its carpet contacting surface. The latter is important for the reason that the agitator is very sensitive to slight changes in the adjustment of the height, in the nozzle, of its beater element at contacting position.

The invention of course also contemplates the use of means to resiliently urge the beater element toward a definite initial striking position, and toreturn it to that position after it has been deflected therefrom by a. carpet blow, with suflicient quickness so that such return movement will be encompassed within less than 360 degrees of revolution of a high speed motor driven agitator.

In the accomplishment of the foregoing ob jects, the invention provides a rotating Spindle and a rigid beater element, elongated parallel to the axis of the spindle, and connected to the spindle by a hinge located approximately at the surface of the spindle and-at one side of the neck of the beater elementfallowing the other side of said neck to be displaced from its-normal Ohio, a corporation of 1935-, Serial No. 34,398

position relative to the spindle as the beater element swings circumferentially, and means resiliently urging said other side back to normal position after it has been deflected therefrom by a carpet blow. The hinge is such as to prevent direct radial depression of the beater element,

constraining its carpet contacting region to swing at constant distance from the hinge axis. In one form of the invention the distance of the contacting surface from the spindle axis increases slightly as the beater element is deflected, thus augmenting the blow in a radial direction, while in another form, in order to secure a milder beating action the distance between the carpet contacting surface and the spindle axis slightly diminishes during deflection, radial non-yieldability being present, however, in any given position of deflection.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and construe tion and arrangement of the various parts there- 7 of, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as more fully set forth in the accompanying specifications, pointed out in the claims, and

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in-

Fig. 5 is a similar view of another modification.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of another modification. Fig. 7 is a similar view of another modification. Fig. 8 is a similar view of another modification. Fig. 9 is a similar view of another modification; Fig. 10 is a similar view of a modification of the invention wherein the beater element retracts slightly during deflection.

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a modification of the form shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a similar view of a modification of the form shown in Fig. 10. v Fig. 13 is a similar view of a modification thereof. 7

Fig. 14 is a similar view of a modification thereof.

Fig. 15 is a similar view of a modification thereol.

Fig. 16 is a similarview ofa modification thereof.

Fig. 17 is a similar view of a modification thereof.

Fig. 18 is a similar view of a modification thereof.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the invention is embodied in a vacuum cleaner having a suctionneck Hi to which is swiveiled the floor tool Ii In the suction chamber l2 of the latter is journalled the rotating spindle l3 carrying detachable brush elements It andbeaters It. A belt it, driven by a motor l7, transmits high speed rotation to the spindle I3. The suction chamber I2 is carried at a height above the supporting surface, by wheels I81, and the suction mechanism (not shown)' attached to neck Iii, lifts the carpet 19 against the mouth of the chamber l2, whence the carpet is beaten and brushed by beaters l5 and brushes Id.

Each beater 95 comprises an elongated channel 20 (Fig. 2) of rigid material such as metal having a semicylindrical carpet engaging region 2! connecting the side walls 22 which are preferably drawn toward each other so as to provide a reduced neck region. In the form shown in Fig. 2, the channel 20 embraces one side of a strip of soft rubber 23 to which it is secured either by bonding or by the engagement of the reduced neck of the channel with the reduced neck of the rubber strip. The other side of the strip is secured, by bonding, in an elongated channel 24 which in turn'is mounted in a socket formed in the spindle I3, and secured by somesuitable releasable securing means, such as the set screws 2'5.

The agitator revolves as indicated by the arrow 26, and as the beater contacts the carpet, it

swings around a hinge 29 formed by engagement of the edge of the trailing side wall 22 against the registering edge of one side of the channel 25,

or against the surface of the spindle l3 in case moving slightly downwardly relative to the level of the path 46 which it would describe if fixed rigidly to the spindle. In Fig. 2 it is shown at approximately the bottom of its swing. This increases the radial "punching action of the beater, while the circumferential deflection slows up circumferential movement and decreases the injurious swiping action against the carpet. Theoretically, it would be possible to adjust the resiliency of the mounting, and the weight of the beater so that circumferential movement of the beater would. practically come to a standstill while the spindle continued tb revolve above it, the resulting movement of the carpet engaging face 2| being virtually a simple vertical recipro cation. In practice, however, it is not necessary to approach this limit, the face 2! being rounded in a broad curve and being smooth, hard, and highly polished so as to slide over the pile with ease. The invention does, nevertheless, effect a very substantial reduction in the. very real pile removing whipping action which characterizes a 24 or the spindle.

rigidly mounted beater.

against each other.

One advantage of this particular construction is the complete covering of the side faces of the rubber by the metal beater channel when the beater is'in normal position, so as to 'eliminate the deteriorating effects of air in contact with the rubber.

In the form shownin Fig. 4, a thin bead 21 of rubber projects between the abutting edges of the channels 20 and 24 so a to eliminate any noise occurring from contact of the metal edges The hinging action in this case is practically the same as in the form shown in Fig. 2. I

The resiliency of the mounting may be increased by leaving the rubber unattached to the interior for a considerabledistance from the upper edge downwardly of the leading wall of the channel, as indicated at 28 in Figs. 4 and 5. Preferably this, feature would include a slight spacing between the rubber and the metal so as to avoid frictional contact. The greatly increased area of rubber which may freely stretch in order to allow the beater to hinge, gives a much freer flexing action than is true of the form shown in Fig. 2.

In the form of the invention shown in' Fig. 5, a conventional hinge 29 connects the trailing wall 22 with the channel 26 and rigidly prevents any radial distension of the beater under centrifugal force.

In the form shown in Fig. 6, that portion of the leading wall 22 which is unattachedto the rubber, has been cut away as at 28a, leaving the opposite or trailing wall hinged to the channel 24 as heretofore described.

In the form shown in Fig. 7, the beater ha been lightened by leaving its carpet engaging region 2| empty and forming its neck region 22a to engage a flattened, radially short body of rubber 23a. mounted in a channel 26 as in the forms hereinbefore described; The hinge is formed in the same manner as in Fig. 4'.

In the form shown in Fig. 8, the beater 20 is hinged at 29 to one edge of a plate of spring metal 30 which is secured to the spindle by securing elements 3i positioned close to the hinge 29. The other end of the spring plate 30 projects freely into a cavity 32 in the spindle and is engaged by a flange 33 on the other side of the beater 20. The spring plate 30 forms the means for resiliently returning the beater to normal position and allowing it to be deflected circumferentially around the hinge 29. m

In Fig. 9, the beater 20 is hinged at 29 to the spindle l3, and-isresiliently urged towards normal position by coil spring 34 one end of;which is attached to the spindle as at 35 and the other end of which is attached as at 36 to the beater 20. Most of the length, of the coil spring is accommodated in the hollow interior of the beater A buffer block 31 is mounted in the spindle I3 to receive the impact of the leading wall of the beater when it has beenpulled back to normal position. p

In all'of the Figs. 2-9 inclusive, with the exception of Fig. 8, the beateris shown in deflected position. In normal position, as shown in Fig. 8,

the medial plane of the heater is located along the leading wall of the metal channel-shaped beater is hinged as at 38 to the spindle l3, while U the trailing waliengages a compressible means which allows the beater element to be depressed while hinging laterally and which returns the engages the edge of the trailing wall 22 of the beater.

In the form shown in Fig. 12, the compression means is a body of rubber 43 which fills the beater and. the mounting channel 24a. to which. the heater is hinged. The edge of the trailing wall of'the beater in this case does not register with the corresponding wall of the channel 28a,

. but is positioned somewhat inside of the plane of the channel wall so that it can move up into the channel 2%. The rubber 63 is detached from the channel 22a at that side so that during compression it may have freedom of movement to pull away from the channel as at it.

In the forms shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12,

' there is an actual hinge 38 between the leading wall 22 of the beater and the spindle i3. In the form shown in Fig. 13, the hinge is formed by abutting contact of the edge of the leading wall 22 with the edge of the channel 260. which in this case, as in Fig. 12, is somewhat wider than the neck 22 so as to allow the trailing wall to move into the channel.

In the form shown in Figs. 15 and 16 the'trailing wall 22 is cut away as at 281) and compression occurs in the region of rubber thusexposed.

In Fig. 15 the hinge is formed by abutting contact, as in Fig. 13, while in Fig 16 the metal hinge 38 is employed. In Fig. 17 the beater 28 is hinged at 38 to the spindle l8 and its trailing wall 22 engages a resilient plate or leaf spring a which forms the, compression means. A de-,

pression 32a in the spindle allows the trailing side 5 of the heater to move up into the spindle'as it swings around the hinge 38. i

. In the form shown in-Fig. 18, a leaf spring 85b not only serves as the means for resiliently opposing deflection and for returning the heater to normal position, but also as the hinge between the leading side of the beater and the spindle it. A depression 321) allows the trailing side of the beater to move up into the spindle during deflection.

In place of the leaf spring 85b, there may be employed a resilient extension 35c of the leading wall 22 of the beaten-secured at 55 to the spindle. In the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 14 and 18 a buiier block Sla may be employed to receive the contact of the trailing edge of the beater. 'r

Each of the forms shown in Figs. 10, 11, i2, 13,

14, 17, and 18 embody the advantage of having.

the beater extend entirely to the periphery of the spindle. This not only improves appearance but increases the durability of the device as awhole and protects the resilient cushioning mechanism encased within the hollow beater.

While there is a slight radial recession of the beater towards the axis of the spindle during carpet contact, in those forms shown in Figs. 10 to 18, this recession can occur only as an incident to the circumferential swingingof the heater, and is proportional thereto and onlya small increment thereof. As a consequence, a blow is d livered which, though cushioned by circumferential flexing, is nevertheless positive in a radial direction and gives an effective beating action. It differs from the blow given by the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive in that in the former, the blow slightly increases in intensity during the initial period of carpet contact whereas in the forms shown in Figs. 10 to 18 inclusive, the blow slightly decreases in intensity during carpet contact.

' An important aspect of the invention is the dimensioning of the parts so that the beater projects radially beyond the spindle a distance approximately as much as the radius of the spindie, and the locating of the active portion of the resilient means close to the periphery of the of resilient opposition to circumferential flexing.

Another important phase of the invention is the use of an elongated beater attached to the spindle along an extended hinge, which allows the beater, in retreating from the blow of the carpet, to yield only inone direction-circumferentially. This ensures the injection of the full force of the rotating spindle into the downward blow delivered by the beater.

Another important feature of the invention, is the attachment of the heater, to the spindle on a flxed axis hinge, i. e., a hinge the axis of which is practically immovable radially of the spindle, and one in which there is no play such as would allow the heater to swing in an extended path when free of the carpet, and then recede radially toward the axis of rotation when the carpet is struck. The rubber, in Figs.-2, 4, '7, 13, and 15, is of sufiicient thickness and strength at the region of junction between beater and spindle/to hold the beater within a path which is practically nondistensible at any speed of rotation, and abutting contact of walls 22 and channel 2% or spindle, prevents radial recession. In the other form, the same results are furnished by the actual hinge 29.

We claim as our invention: I

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a rotating spindle, a rigid beater hinged thereto on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation and projecting radially from the hinge a distance not substantially less than the radius of the spindle, so as to be capable of receding under carpet contact with a recession that is predominantly circumferential, and re-.

silient means. for urging said beater toward a radial position and for resisting such recession. 2. In a vacuum cleaner, a power driven rotating spindle, and a rigid beater projecting radially therefrom, the extremity of one side of which is "hinged to the spindle to allow the heater to swing thereof.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, 9. power driven rotating spindle, and a heater attached thereto and projecting radially therefrom, said beater comprising an elongated channel of rigidtough wear resisting material, the,extremity of one side of which is hinged to the spindle to allow the beater to swing circumferentially of the spindle, andresilient means attaching the other side of the channel to the spindle so as to allow the beater to recede under carpet contact and to return it to normal position upon severance of carpet contact, the radial distance from the hinge to the path of revolution of the carpet contacting tip being substantially greater than the circumferential distance from the hinge to the radius on which said tip is normally located, whereby the;

silient means attaching the other side of the heater to the spindle so as to allow the beater to freely recede circumferentially ofthe spindleunder carpet contact, and-to return it to normal position upon severance of carpet contact, the radial distance from the hinge to the path of revolution of, the carpet contacting tip being greater than the circumferential distance from the hinge to the radius on which said tip is normally located, and greater than the distance 'from the hinge to the region of action of the resilient means.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a power driven rotating spindle; and a rigid beater projecting radially therefrom and attached thereto on a hinge which is elongated parallel to the axis of rotation and radially immovable relative to said axis, so as to hold the adjacent region of the beater against either extension or depression radially, said hinge being located at one side of the beater, and resilient means attaching the other-side of the beater to the spindle so as to allow the heater to freely recede .under carpet contact, and to return it to normal position upon severance oi carpet contact, the radial distance from the hinge to the path of revolution of the carpet contacting tip being substantially greater than the circumferential distance fromrthe hinge to the radius on which said tip is normally located, whereby the circumferential component of the deflection of said tip is materially greater than the radial component thereof.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, 9. power driven rotating spindle, and a heater attached thereto and projecting radially therefrom, said beater compris-- ing an. elongated channel of rigid tough wear resisting material, the extremity of one side wall of which is attached to the spindle on a. hinge which is parallel to and radially immovable relative to the axis of rotation, so as to hbld the adjacent region or the channel against either extension or depression radially, and resilient means attaching the other side of the channel to the spindle so as to allow the beater to freely recede circumferentially of the spindle under carpet contact and to return it to normal position upon severance of carpet contact said resilient means being located within the channel.

7. In a vacuum cleaner, a rotating spindle, a beater hinged thereto, comprising a channel of rigid material, and resilient means extending into the channel and attached thereto, for yieldingly maintaining. said channel in a normal position and allowing the same to recede circumferentially of the spindle under carpet contact while yieldingly resisting such recession, one side wall of said channel extending substantially to the periphery of the spindle and the edge of the other side wall being spaced from the spindle so as to leave an exposed area of the resilient means and to thereby facilitate flexing. v

8. In a vacuum cleaner, a rotating spindle, a heater projecting therefrom in substantially a radial direction to a distance substantially as great as the radius of the spindle, and attached thereto for circumferential deflection on an axis parallel to the axis of revolution of the spindle, the axis of deflection being located, relative to the direction of rotation, a distance rearwardly of a radius passing through the center of the spindle and the carpet contacting tip when the beater is undeflected, which distance is substantially less than the radial distance of the carpet contacting tip from the spindle, whereby vthe latter distance will be increased during the initial stage of recession and whereby the deflection will be predominantly circumferential in direction.

9. In a vacuum cleaner, a rotating spindle,'a. rigid beater projecting therefrom in substantially a radial direction to a distancesubstantially as great as the radius of the spindle, and hinged thereto for circumferential deflection on an axis parallel to the axis of revolution of the spindle, the axis of deflection being located, relative to the direction of rotation, a distance rearwardly of a radius passing through the center of the spindle and the carpet contacting tip when the beater is undeflected, which distance is substantially less than the radial distance of the carpet con tacting tip from the spindle, whereby the latter distance will be increased during the initial stage of recession and whereby the deflection will be predominantly circumferential in direction.

10. In a vacuum cleaner, a power driven rotating spindle, and a rigid beater projecting radially therefrom and attached thereto on a hinge which is elongated parallel to the axis of rotation and radially immovable relative to said axis, so. as to hold the adjacent region of the beater against either extension or depression radially, said hinge being located at one side of the beater, and resilient means attaching the other side of the beater to the spindle so as to allow the beater to freely recede circumferentially of the spindle under carpet contact, and to return it to normal position upon severance of carpet contact, the hinge being related to the direction of rotation so that the carpet contacting tip of the beater will be forced to increase its radial distance from the axis of rotation during the initial stage of the circumferential recession.

FREDERICK RIEBEL, JR. DEWEY M. DOW. 

